Fitch lowers Israel’s credit rating amid economic strain from Gaza conflict
San Francisco, United States - US credit rating agency Fitch downgraded Israel a notch on Monday, warning that its ongoing conflict...Geostrategy
Hamas names Sinwar new chief as region braces for Iran retaliation against Israel
Iran blames Haniyeh's death on Israel and has vowed to avenge him, while Hamas's Lebanese ally Hizbollah has also pledged...Geostrategy
Morocco king turns 60 as challenges abound in kingdom
The monarch is credited with effectively maintaining stability in a volatile region -- in part through suppressing criticism -- as...Since his coronation following the death of his father, the monarch has retained a firm grip on economic policy, foreign affairs, and defence and security in his country
On the international stage, Mohammed VI has diversified partnerships that were once primarily focused on former colonial ruler France and other European nations
Taiwan says 42 warplane incursions after launch of China military drills
China announced earlier Saturday that it had "launched joint air and sea patrols and military exercises of the navy and...Twenty-six of the warplanes involved crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the island's ministry of defence said in a statement
Eight vessels also participated in the drills, which Chinese state media said were intended to simulate "real combat conditions", the ministry said
BBC, Guardian journos among 54 UK citizens in Russia’s stop-list
Moscow, Russia - Moscow has expanded its stop-list as a retaliatory measure barring 54 UK citizens from entering Russia, the...The list now includes Lucy Frazer, UK secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, "who is promoting Russia’s international sports isolation."
Other UK nationals on the list include journalists from the BBC, Guardian Media Group, the Daily Telegraph, as well as Karim Khan, prosecutor with the ICC
Turkish Cypriot forces assault Cyprus peacekeepers: UN
The confrontation occurred in Pyla, an ethnically mixed village in the UN-patrolled area between the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus...EU condemned the incident, as well as Britain, France and US, who in a joint statement expressed "serious concern at the launch of unauthorised construction" of the road
Authorities in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, who say the road project is aimed at easing the plight of its people, dismissed the UN mission's allegations
India and Saudi Arabia discuss visit of Crown Prince to India
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - India and Saudi Arabia are in discussions regarding a state visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin...The discussions are said to be centered around the Crown Prince's visit after the G20 summit on September 9-10 which he would also be attending
Saudi Arabia is a major supplier of oil to India, and the two countries have been working to develop renewable energy projects together
Saudi Arabia and India sign agreement on digital economy
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia and India signed on Friday an agreement on digitization and electronic manufacturing.The agreement seeks...The agreement seeks to enhance Saudi-Indian cooperation in the fields of digital infrastructure, e-health, and e-learning
It also aims at building robust strategic partnerships that promote innovation and the growth of the digital economy
Russian foreign minister to lead delegation at UN General Assembly
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the country’s delegation to the 78th session of...In recent years, Russia’s delegation to the UN General Assembly has been headed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly will begin in New York on September 19.
Saudi Crown Prince and Iran foreign minister discuss bilateral relations
Iran's foreign minister met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his first visit since the Middle East rivals...The Iranian foreign minister called the 90-minute meeting a "direct, frank, and productive conversation".
The Iranian minister said the success of the region is possible by strengthening dialogue and cooperation.
EU well-prepared for winter as gas reserves hit 90% ahead of target
The speedy filling of storage facilities means the bloc is "in a much more stable position than it was this...The crisis sparked by Russia's war led to the European Union adopting a law requiring the 90-percent gas storage by November 1 each year.
Before Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022, Russia accounted for nearly half of the EU's natural gas imports.
Iran first Islamic country to have modern observatory, says official Â
TEHRAN, IRAN – Iran is the first Islamic country to possess a very modern observatory, the head of the Institute...The head of the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences said that Iran lacked the resources to build an observatory.
He added that an observatory is like a living entity, and continuous work and progress are necessary for proper functioning.
